Library staff dresses up with literary flair

Mary Poppins was dusting bookshelves at the McPherson Public Library Thursday while the Fairy Godmother battled Narnia’s White Witch behind the checkout desk.

By Josh ArnettStaff Writer

Mary Poppins was dusting bookshelves at the McPherson Public Library Thursday while the Fairy Godmother battled Narnia’s White Witch behind the checkout desk.Meanwhile, “The Great Gatsby”’s Daisy Buchanan answered a patron’s questions, and Mother Goose located books in the children’s section.Members of the library staff dressed up as book characters for Halloween. The books ranged from “The Hunger Games” and “Naruto” to “Cinderella” and “Anne of Green Gables.”Patrons could try to guess which characters they were. Ann Anderson, who dressed up as Daisy Buchanan, said it’s a good way to get people to read new books.“We’re going to say, ‘You haven’t read “Great Gatsby”? You should read that,’” Anderson said.Various characters made appearances throughout the day. Rachel Bandt, who dressed as the White Witch from “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” said the costumes were good literary conversation starters.“It opens up a conversation to read something they haven’t read before,” Bandt said.Jennie Hall, head of adult services at the library, said this is the first year the library staff has dressed up like this.“It’s a perfect match between literature and Halloween,” Hall said. “It’s a fun way to engage patrons with books.”She said she hopes the costumes will get patrons talking more about literature.“It just opens up a conversation about books, which is what we want,” Hall said.Lindsey Schwindt, who visited the library, said the costumes gave the library a friendly atmosphere.“When I walked in, I thought it was clever,” Schwindt said. “It’s a good way to make the library a fun place, a place where you can be comfortable.”Linda Green, another visitor, said she hopes it becomes a tradition.“It’s awesome. It engages you to read the books,” Green said. “They should do it every year.”

Contact Josh Arnett by email at jarnett@mcphersonsentinel.com and follow him on Twitter @ArnettSentinel.